Michael Atherton picks Kuldeep Yadav as leading wicket-taker of Champions Trophy 2025

Former England captain Michael Atherton has predicted that Kuldeep Yadav could end up as the leading wicket-taker of the Champions Trophy 2025. Yadav has been performing consistently for India in ODIs and he is going to hold the key in the middle overs.

The left-arm wrist spinner has scalped 174 wickets in 108 ODIs at an impressive average of 26.22. In the recent ODI series against England, Yadav picked two wickets in as many games at an average of 45.50.

In the ODI World Cup 2023, Yadav scalped 15 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 28.27 and played a key role in taking India to the final of the ODI showpiece. 

On the other hand, Atherton backed South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen to finish as the top run-getter of the tournament.

Michael Atherton said on Sky Sports, “I will go for South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen as leading run-scorer as he is in hot form. Perhaps you should go for an opener or someone in the top three but he is a top-notch short-form player and should get plenty of opportunities.

“For wicket-taker, I was going to say England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who really is a master of his craft now, but as I have my doubts about them making the semi-finals, I will go for India’s Kuldeep Yadav. I love watching him bowl. He is a really attacking spinner with plenty of variety and is playing in a part of the world that will help spin more.”

Meanwhile, former England captain Nasser Hussain backed India to win the Champions Trophy and predicted that Arshdeep Singh would end as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Hussain backed in-form Shubman Gill to be the highest run-getter of the eight-team competition. Gill recently scored 259 runs at 86.33 in three matches against England.

“I am saying India will win it and therefore play the most games, so I will pick Arshdeep Singh as leading wicket-taker. He has only played nine ODIs so far but is India’s highest T20 international wicket-taker and can bowl at the start and end of an innings. For run-scorer, I will say Gill. Rohit loves the Champions Trophy and ICC events in general but Gill is in the form of his life in this format.”

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.